Hi gooners,
Now obviously we've had a few problems with our front line this season. Giroud, Gervinho and Walcott have all been tried there, with mixed success. I assume no-one seriously considers Gervinho as an option up top anymore, so onto the actual footballers.
Giroud is a player I like. He's strong, intelligent, superb in the air, and his link up play is superb, hence the stats. But he tends to work exclusively in barren and purple patches, and often in the space of a week his form can mysteriously disappear. He also tends to miss quite a few crucial chances, he's cost us a fair few points this season. He's decent, but not good enough to start for a top 4 team for me.
Theo meanwhile, although lethal when one on one and very effective when up against a high line, is of limited quality against good teams who know how to defend. He simply doesn't have enough physical presence to act as a focal point, plus he's scared of the ball. Moreover, he has proven very effective coming in off the right as well this season, his decision making and crossing is much improved. So I hope he stays there.
Poldi however provides the pace to keep any CB on their toes, yet he's also strong enough to hold it up under pressure, and technically although not skilful enough to really tear it up on the wing he is certainly good enough as a striker. And of course, his left foot is both clinical and capable of shattering an object as large and thick as Shawcross's head. I know our deficit with Psurs means there's not much room for experimentation, but I think this could work.
I'd line up like this:
--------------Szcz
Sagna Kos Merte Gibbs/Nacho
------Arteta Wilshere-------------
Theo---Rosicky----Santi
------------Poldi---------------------
That way we'd have a strong bench with the likes of Giroud and Ramsey in reserve.
Podolski is the answer
posted on 20/2/13
I completely agree with you. I thought it was more obvious than ever last night that Podolski should be playing CF. I was baffled when Wenger took him off, I was sure Santi was going to go off and Walcott be pushed out wide to accommodate Podolski.
Unfortunately Wenger does not do tactical flexibility, if Podolski does not start on the left it is only because he is starting on the bench.
posted on 20/2/13
We may as well try him up-front, other than walcott, podolski is the only player confident in-front of goal
posted on 20/2/13
Unfortunately Wenger does not do tactical flexibility
Well that is so true. Would like to see a different tactical approach too. 442 for me please.
posted on 20/2/13
Giroud is a player I like. He's strong, intelligent
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Stop reading at this point
posted on 20/2/13
we need to buy a striker
the end
posted on 21/2/13
I think we've got to persist with a front 3 of Giroud, Podolski and Walcott, its when we've looked our best in my opinion, and Podolski obviously doesn't want to play down the middle for us.
posted on 21/2/13
Podolski cannot play in the box. He is not good at headers and doesn't have the moves and the first touch that is required for this job.
It is difficult to find a position for Podolski. His strengths are his monstrous left foot, his speed and his passing abilities. But he can't beat defenders 1 on 1 which limits his usefulness as a winger.
Maybe his ideal position is behind the striker, but that position probably requires more creativity, vision and technique than Podolski is able to provide, and Arsenal have Cazorla there.
Germany use him as a left winger and he is effective there because Germany's style is (or was) based on counterattacks and because they give him the ball more so that he can shoot from distance.
posted on 21/2/13
Thomans T
posted on 21/2/13
He can beat people around the outside to be fair, and he's the best crosser in the team.
posted on 21/2/13
It is difficult to find a position for Podolski. His strengths are his monstrous left foot, his speed and his passing abilities. But he can't beat defenders 1 on 1 which limits his usefulness as a winger.
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Which is why Podolski would have been perfect compliment to RVP and Theo.
I just don't know what Arsene was thinking when he acquired Giroud. His style does not suit us at all.
They after buying Giroud, why continue for Podolski?